Portable transformer device

ABSTRACT

A portable transformer device comprises a housing having opposite substantially parallel sides and a third side joining the opposite sides and substantially perpendicular thereto. One of the parallel sides has a pair of spaced rectangular prong holes formed therethrough. The other of the parallel sides has a pair of spaced circular prong holes formed therethrough. The third side has an elongated slot formed therethrough. A transformer in the housing has a low voltage winding and a high voltage winding. A switch member is slidably mounted in the housing and has a switch arm extending out of the housing through the slot in the third side. The switch member has a pair of rectangular cross-sectioned prongs at one end in operative proximity with the rectangular prong holes in the housing and a pair of circular cross-sectioned prongs at the other end in operative proximity with the circular prong holes in the housing and is movable between a position in which one pair of prongs is in the housing and the other extends through the corresponding prong holes and a position in which the other pair of prongs is in the housing and the one pair of prongs extends through the corresponding prong holes. Electrically conductive leads electrically connect the low voltage winding of the transformer to the rectangular cross-sectioned prongs and electrically conductive leads electrically connect the high voltage winding of the transformer to the circular cross-sectioned prongs.

United States Patent [191 Ita [111 3,832,659 Aug. 27, 1974 PORTABLE TRANSFORMER DEVICE Callixtus E. Ita, South River, NJ.

The Raymond Lee Organization, Inc., New York, NY.

Filed: Aug. 14, 1973 Appl. No.: 388,323

Inventor:

Assignee:

US. Cl. 336/107, 336/192 Int. Cl. H01f 27/04 Field of Search 336/105, 107, 192;

References Cited UNlTED STATES PATENTS 5/1962 Todd 307/156 Primary ExaminerThomas J. Kozma Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Daniel Jay Tick pendicular thereto. One of the parallel sides has a pair 23 2 l4 av/se of spaced rectangular prong holes formed therethrough. The other of the parallel sides has a pair of spaced circular prong holes formed therethrough. The third side has an elongated slot formed therethrough. A transformer in the housing has a low voltage winding and a high voltage winding. A switch member is slidably mounted in the housing and has a switch arm extending out of the housing through the slot in the third side; The switch member has a pair of rectangular cross-sectioned prongs at one end in operative proximity with the rectangular prong holes in the housing and a pair of circular cross-sectioned prongs at the other end in operative proximity with the circular prong holes in the housing and is movable between a position in which one pair of prongs is in the housing and the other extends through the corresponding prong holes and a position in which the other pair of prongs is in the housing and the one pair of prongs extends through the corresponding prong holes. Electrically conductive leads electrically connect the low voltage winding of the transformer to the rectangular cross-sectioned prongs and electrically conductive leads electrically connect the high voltage winding of the transformer to the circular cross-sectioned prongs.

2 Claims, 4 Drawing Figures L 15 will f v 1 PORTABLE TRANSFORMER DEVICE DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a portable transformer device.

The principal object of the invention is to provide a portable transformer device of very small dimensions, light weight, simple structure, which is easy, convenient, rapid and comfortable to use, is efficient, effective and reliable in operation, and permits the use of an electrical appliance such as, for example, an electric shaver, with any standard power system outlet anywhere in the world.

In order that the invention may be readily carried into effect, it will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawing, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an embodiment of the portable transformer device of the invention, from one end;

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of an embodiment of the portable transformer device of the invention, from the other end;

FIG. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view of the portable transformer device of FIGS. 1 and 2; and

FIG. 4 is a view, partly in section, taken along the lines 4-4, of FIG. 3.

In the figures, the same components are identified by the same reference numerals.

The portable transformer device of the invention comprises a housing 11 having opposite substantially parallel sides 12 and 13 (FIGS. 3 and 4). A third side 14 (FIGS. 1, 2 and 3) joins theopposite sides 12 and 13 and is substantially perpendicular thereto. One of the parallel sides 12 has a pair of spaced rectangular prong holes 15 and- 16 (FIG. 2) formed therethrough. The other of the rectangular sides 13 has a pair of spaced circular prong holes 17 and 18 (FIG. 1) formed therethrough. The third side 14 has an elongated slot 19 (FIGS. I, 2 and 3) formed therethrough.

A transformer 20 (FIGS. 3 and 4) is provided in the housing 11 and has a low voltage winding 21 and a high voltage winding 22 (FIGS. 3 and 4).

A switch member 23 (FIG. 3) is slidably mounted in the housing 11 and has a switch arm 24 (FIGS. 1, 2 and 3) extending out of the housing through the slot 19 in the third side 14. The switch member 23 has a pair of 2v are in the housing and the one pair of prongs 25 and 26 extends through the corresponding prong holes 15 and 16. In this position, the prongs 25 and 26 may be inserted into an American type power outlet and an European appliance may be inserted into the prong holes 17 and 18 thereby raising the voltage applied to the appliance to permit efficient operation thereof.

rectangular cross-sectioned prongs 25 (FIG. 3) and 26 (not shown in the FIGS.) at one end 27 in operative proximity with the rectangular prong holes 15 and 16 in the housing 11. The switch member 23 has a pair of circular cross-sectioned prongs 28 and 29 (FIGS. 1 and 3) at the other end in operative proximity with the circular prong holes 17 and 18 in the housing 11.

The switch member 23 is movable between a position in which one pair of prongs 25 and 26 are in the housing and the other pair of prongs extend through the corresponding prong holes 17 and 18, as shown in FIGS. I

l, 2 and 3. In this position, the prongs 28 and 29 may be inserted into an European type power outlet and an American appliance may be inserted into the prong holes 15 and 16, thereby reducing the voltage applied to the appliance to prevent its burnout. The switch member 23 is also movable to a position, not shown in the FIGS., in which the other pair of prongs 28 and 29 Electrically conductive leads 30 and 31 (FIGS. 3 and 4) electrically connect the low voltage winding 21 of the transformer 20 to the rectangular cross-sectioned prongs 25 and 26. Electrically conductive leads 32 and 33 (FIGS. 3 and 4) electrically connect the high voltage winding 22 of the transformer 20 to the circular crosssectioned prongs 28 and 29.

The switch member 23 comprises a body 34 of electrically insulating material having the switch arm 24 shaped therein. The pair of prongs 25 and 26 are embedded in the body 34 and extend from the end 27 thereof. The pair of prongs 28 and 29 are embedded in the body 34 and extend from the other end 35 thereof.

While the invention has been described by means of a specific example and in a specific embodiment, I do not wish to be limited thereto, for obvious modifications will occur to those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

I claim: 1. A portable transformer device, comprising a housing having opposite substantially parallel sides and a third side joining the opposite sides and substantially perpendicular thereto, one of the parallel sides having a pair of spaced rectangular prong holes formed therethrough, the other of the parallel sides having a pair of spaced circular prong holes formed therethrough, and the third side having an elongated slot formed therethrough; a transformer in the housing having a low voltage winding and a high voltage winding; a switch member slidably mounted in the housing and having a switch arm extending out of the housing through the slot in the third side, said switch member having a pair of rectangular cross-sectioned prongs at one end in operative proximity with the rectangular prong holes in the housing and a pair of circular cross-sectioned prongs at the other end in operative proximity with the circular prong holes in the'housing and being movable between a position in which one pair of prongs is in the housing and the other extends through the corresponding prong holes and a position in which the other pair of prongs is in the housing and the one pair of prongs extends through the corresponding prong 1 holes;

" electrically conductive leads electrically connecting the low voltage winding of the transformer to the rectangular cross-sectioned prongs; and electrically conductive leads electrically connecting the high voltage winding of the transformer to the circular cross-sectioned prongs.

2. A portable transformer device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the switch member comprises a body of electrically insulating material and each pair of prongs is embedded in the body and extends from a corresponding end thereof. 

1. A portable transformer device, comprising a housing having opposite substantially parallel sides and a third side joining the opposite sides and substantially perpendicular thereto, one of the parallel sides having a pair of spaced rectangular prong holes formed therethrough, the other of the parallel sides having a pair of spaced circular prong holes formed therethrough, and the third side having an elongated slot formed therethrough; a transformer in the housing having a low voltage winding and a high voltage winding; a switch member slidably mounted in the housing and having a switch arm extending out of the housing through the slot in the third side, said switch member having a pair of rectangular cross-sectioned prongs at one end in operative proximity with the rectangular prong holes in the housing and a pair of circular cross-sectioned prongs at the other end in operative proximity with the circular prong holes in the housing and being movable between a position in which one pair of prongs is in the housing and the other extends through the corresponding prong holes and a position in which the other pair of prongs is in the housing and the one pair of prongs extends through the corresponding prong holes; electrically conductive leads electrically connecting the low voltage winding of the transformer to the rectangular crosssectioned prongs; and electrically conductive leads electrically connecting the high voltage winding of the transformer to the circular crosssectioned prongs.
 2. A portable transformer device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the switch member comprises a body of electrically insulating material and each pair of prongs is embedded in thE body and extends from a corresponding end thereof. 